Alabama Power Company
Encyclopedia
Alabama Power Company, headquartered in Birmingham
, Alabama
, is a company in the southern United States
that provides electricity
service to 1.3 million homes, businesses, and industries in the southern two-thirds of Alabama
. It is one of four U.S. utilities
operated by the Southern Company
, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity
.
Alabama Power is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility, and the second largest subsidiary of Southern Company. More than 78000 miles (125,528.5 km) of power lines carry electricity to customers throughout 44500 square miles (115,254.5 km²).
Alabama Power's hydroelectric
generating plants encompass several lake
s on the Tallapoosa
, Coosa
, and Black Warrior
River
s, as well as coal
, oil
, natural gas
, nuclear
and cogeneration
plants in various parts of the state. In addition to generating electricity, the waters surrounding the plants offer recreational opportunities for Alabama residents and visitors.
commenced an enforcement action against Alabama Power under the Clean Air Act
. In 2006, the EPA announced that Alabama Power had agreed to spend more than $200 m to upgrade pollution controls as a partial settlement of this action. The settlement did not include claims regarding five coal fired plants. Those claims proceeded to trial, and Alabama Power prevailed. However, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has stated that they intend to appeal the ruling. SELC was involved in a case against Duke Energy
that was appealed to the Supreme Court
in 2006.
In April 2006, Alabama Power and Southern Company were given the "Outstanding Stewardship of American Rivers Award" by the National Hydropower Association
, representing domestic, non-federal hydroelectric producers, for their "Renew Our Rivers" program.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, is a company in the southern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that provides electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
service to 1.3 million homes, businesses, and industries in the southern two-thirds of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. It is one of four U.S. utilities
Public utility
A public utility is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service . Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and regulation ranging from local community-based groups to state-wide government monopolies...
operated by the Southern Company
Southern Company
Southern Company is a public utility holding company of primarily electric utilities in the southern United States. It is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with executive offices also located in Birmingham, Alabama. The company is currently the 16th largest utility company in the world and the...
, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity
Electricity generation
Electricity generation is the process of generating electric energy from other forms of energy.The fundamental principles of electricity generation were discovered during the 1820s and early 1830s by the British scientist Michael Faraday...
.
Alabama Power is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility, and the second largest subsidiary of Southern Company. More than 78000 miles (125,528.5 km) of power lines carry electricity to customers throughout 44500 square miles (115,254.5 km²).
Alabama Power's hydroelectric
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
generating plants encompass several lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
s on the Tallapoosa
Tallapoosa River
The Tallapoosa River runs from the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, in the United States, southward and westward into Alabama. It is formed by the confluence of McClendon Creek and Mud Creek in Paulding County, Georgia. Lake Martin at Alexander City, Alabama is a large and...
, Coosa
Coosa River
The Coosa River is a tributary of the Alabama River in the U.S. states of Alabama and Georgia. The river is about long altogether.The Coosa River is one of Alabama's most developed rivers...
, and Black Warrior
Black Warrior River
The Black Warrior River is a waterway in west central Alabama in the southeastern United States. The river rises in the extreme southern edges of the Appalachian Highlands and flows 178 miles to the Tombigbee River, of which the Black Warrior is the primary tributary...
River
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
s, as well as coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
, oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
, natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
, nuclear
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
and cogeneration
Cogeneration
Cogeneration is the use of a heat engine or a power station to simultaneously generate both electricity and useful heat....
plants in various parts of the state. In addition to generating electricity, the waters surrounding the plants offer recreational opportunities for Alabama residents and visitors.
Fossil Fuel plants
| Plant | Nearest City | Coordinates | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| James M. Barry Electric Generating Plant James M. Barry Electric Generating Plant James M. Barry Electric Generating Plant is a coal- and natural gas-fired electrical generation facility in Bucks, Mobile County, Alabama. It lies on the west bank of the Mobile River, using it both for coal delivery as well as for cooling water. The plant was named for James M... |
Bucks, Alabama Bucks, Alabama Bucks is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Mobile County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 32. It is located in the northeastern section of the county near the Mobile River, along U.S. Route 43. The James M... |
31°00′22"N 88°00′40"W | 2,657,200 kW |
| Gadsden Electric Generating Plant | Gadsden, Alabama Gadsden, Alabama The city of Gadsden is the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama, and it is located about 65 miles northeast of Birmingham, Alabama. It is the primary city of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,459. Gadsden is closely associated with the... |
34°0′46"N 85°58′13"W | 120,000 kW |
| Ernest C. Gaston Electric Generating Plant | Wilsonville, Alabama Wilsonville, Alabama Wilsonville is a town in southeastern Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It is northeast of Columbiana. This town is part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area. At the 2000 census the population was 1,551.-Geography:... |
33°14′35"N 86°27′33"W | 1,880,000 kW |
| William Crawford Gorgas Electric Generating Plant | Parrish, Alabama Parrish, Alabama Parrish is a town in Walker County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,268.A long-track EF3 tornado struck Parrish on April 24, 2010. The rotation later crossed into Cordova, and Empire, a town northeast of Sumiton on Highway 78... |
33°38′42"N 87°12′01"W | 1,221,250 kW |
| Green County Electric Generating Plant | Demopolis, Alabama Demopolis, Alabama Demopolis is the largest city in Marengo County, Alabama, United States. The population was 7,483 at the time of the 2010 United States Census.... |
32°36′06"N 87°46′58"W | 1,220,000 kW |
| James H. Miller, Jr. Electric Generating Plant | West Jefferson, Alabama West Jefferson, Alabama West Jefferson is a town in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 344.-Geography:West Jefferson is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.... |
33°37′55"N 87°03′38"W | 2,640,000 kW |
Hydroelectric plants
| Coosa River Coosa River The Coosa River is a tributary of the Alabama River in the U.S. states of Alabama and Georgia. The river is about long altogether.The Coosa River is one of Alabama's most developed rivers... |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | Nearest City | Coordinates | Capacity |
| Weiss Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Leesburg, Alabama Leesburg, Alabama Leesburg is a town in Cherokee County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 799.-Geography:Leesburg is located at 34°10'57.446" North, 85°46'8.350" West .According to the U.S... |
34°7′56.10"N 85°47′35.76"W | 87,750 kW |
| Henry Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Ohatchee, Alabama Ohatchee, Alabama Ohatchee is a town in Calhoun County in Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,215. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... |
33°47′3.16"N 86°3′7.76"W | 72,900 kW |
| Logan Martin Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Vincent, Alabama Vincent, Alabama Vincent is a town in Shelby, St. Clair, and Talladega Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 1,853.-Geography:Vincent is located at .According to the U.S... |
33°25′30.66"N 86°20′11.92"W | 128,250 kW |
| Lay Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Clanton, Alabama Clanton, Alabama Clanton is a city in Chilton County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area. At the 2000 census the population was 7,800. The city is the county seat of Chilton County.-History:... |
32°57′48.58"N 86°31′6.14"W | 177,000 kW |
| Mitchell Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Verbena, Alabama Verbena, Alabama Verbena is an unincorporated community in southeastern Chilton County, Alabama, United States. Named for the indigenous flower, Verbena developed into a popular resort location for the more affluent citizenry of Montgomery, the state's capital, during the yellow fever outbreaks of the late 19th... |
32°48′20.33"N 86°26′43.08"W | 170,000 kW |
| Jordan Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Wetumpka, Alabama Wetumpka, Alabama Wetumpka is a city in Elmore County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 5,726.The city is the county seat of Elmore County, one of the fastest growing counties in the state.... |
32°37′8.23"N 86°15′21.20"W | 100,000 kW |
| Bouldin Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Wetumpka, Alabama Wetumpka, Alabama Wetumpka is a city in Elmore County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 5,726.The city is the county seat of Elmore County, one of the fastest growing counties in the state.... |
32°35′4.62"N 86°16′58.51"W | 225,000 kW |
| Tallapoosa River Tallapoosa River The Tallapoosa River runs from the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, in the United States, southward and westward into Alabama. It is formed by the confluence of McClendon Creek and Mud Creek in Paulding County, Georgia. Lake Martin at Alexander City, Alabama is a large and... |
|||
| Plant | Nearest City | Coordinates | Capacity |
| Harris Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Lineville, Alabama Lineville, Alabama Lineville is a city in Clay County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 2,401.-History:Native Americans were the first to inhabit the area now known as Lineville. The Creek Indian War of 1813, however, resulted in their removal. The first white settlers in the area were... |
33°15′30.20"N 85°36′54.73"W | 135,000 kW |
| Martin Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Tallassee, Alabama Tallassee, Alabama Tallassee is a city on the Tallapoosa River, located in both Elmore and Tallapoosa counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 4,934... |
32°40′47.69"N 85°54′36.88"W | 154,200 kW |
| Yates Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Tallassee, Alabama Tallassee, Alabama Tallassee is a city on the Tallapoosa River, located in both Elmore and Tallapoosa counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 4,934... |
32°34′26.96"N 85°53′22.99"W | 45,500 kW |
| Thurlow Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Tallassee, Alabama Tallassee, Alabama Tallassee is a city on the Tallapoosa River, located in both Elmore and Tallapoosa counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 4,934... |
32°32′5.46"N 85°53′15.88"W | 85,000 kW |
| Black Warrior River Black Warrior River The Black Warrior River is a waterway in west central Alabama in the southeastern United States. The river rises in the extreme southern edges of the Appalachian Highlands and flows 178 miles to the Tombigbee River, of which the Black Warrior is the primary tributary... |
|||
| Plant | Nearest City | Coordinates | Capacity |
| Smith Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Jasper, Alabama Jasper, Alabama Jasper is a city in Walker County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 14,659. As of 2011 the population had was 13,857. The city is the county seat of Walker County, and once ranked among the world's leading producers of coal.... |
33°56′30.63"N 87°6′31.95"W | 157,500 kW |
| Bankhead Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Northport, Alabama Northport, Alabama Northport is a city in Tuscaloosa County in the west central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. Located on the Black Warrior River across from downtown Tuscaloosa, it is currently the 24th largest city in Alabama with an estimated population of 23,442 in 2009... |
33°27′28.27"N 87°21′19.94"W | 53,985 kW |
| Holt Hydroelectric Generating Plant | Holt, Alabama Holt, Alabama Holt is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 4,103. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... |
33°15′18.64"N 87°26′58.65"W | 49,000 kW |
Nuclear plants
| Plant | Nearest City | Coordinates | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Electric Generating Plant (Plant Farley) | Dothan, Alabama Dothan, Alabama Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County... |
31°13′23.32"N 85°6′47.85"W | 1,720,000 kW |
Cogeneration and other plants
| Plant | Nearest City | Coordinates | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theodore Cogen Facility | Theodore, Alabama Theodore, Alabama Theodore is a census-designated place in Mobile County, Alabama, United States. The population was 6,811 at the 2000 census. It is a part of the Mobile metropolitan statistical area... |
273,870 kW | |
| Washington County Cogen Facility | McIntosh, Alabama McIntosh, Alabama McIntosh is a town located in Washington County, Alabama, along U.S. Highway 43. It is 12½ miles south of Wagarville and north of Mobile. It was named for Alexander McIntosh, a prominent Creek chief of the nineteenth century... |
122,579 kW | |
| GE Plastics Cogen Facility | Burkville, Alabama Burkville, Alabama Burkville, is an unincorporated community in Lowndes County, Alabama, United States.-Geography:Burkville is located at and has an elevation of .... |
32°18′29.65"N 86°31′6.43"W | 105,100 kW |
| Powell Avenue Steam Plant | Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S... |
n/a - steam production only |
Environmental litigation
In 1999 the United States Environmental Protection AgencyUnited States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
commenced an enforcement action against Alabama Power under the Clean Air Act
Clean Air Act
A Clean Air Act is one of a number of pieces of legislation relating to the reduction of airborne contaminants, smog and air pollution in general. The use by governments to enforce clean air standards has contributed to an improvement in human health and longer life spans...
. In 2006, the EPA announced that Alabama Power had agreed to spend more than $200 m to upgrade pollution controls as a partial settlement of this action. The settlement did not include claims regarding five coal fired plants. Those claims proceeded to trial, and Alabama Power prevailed. However, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has stated that they intend to appeal the ruling. SELC was involved in a case against Duke Energy
Duke Energy
Duke Energy , headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is an energy company with assets in the United States, Canada and Latin America.-Overview:...
that was appealed to the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
in 2006.
Corporate citizenship
The Alabama Power Foundation is a non-profit foundation providing grants for watershed, environmental and community projects along the Coosa River and within the state of AlabamaIn April 2006, Alabama Power and Southern Company were given the "Outstanding Stewardship of American Rivers Award" by the National Hydropower Association
National Hydropower Association
The National Hydropower Association represents the interests of the U.S. hydropower industry, which includes all forms of water energy—conventional, hydrokinetic, tidal and ocean....
, representing domestic, non-federal hydroelectric producers, for their "Renew Our Rivers" program.